What happened to the old Bale?

Bale has tumbled down the pecking order at Real Madrid in recent months. Through a lack of minutes on the pitch, the Welshman's ability is suffering and his talent has been left to rot on the bench. 

With Zidane gambling on the next generation of 'Blancos' superstars, Bale has seen himself sacrificed. Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez have shown agility, speed, and a hunger for goals that have left the the winger scowling in the dug-out. 

Inverting roles with the Spanish starlets, it is now Bale who frantically enters the fray with just minutes to go until the final whistle. Downbeat, his performances have been anything but reminiscent of the masterclasses he staged after his 'Galáctico' move. 

When it came to the Champions League showdown with PSG, Zidane left the winger out of the starting XI - a clear manifestation of the Frenchman's future planning. The Spanish trio of Vázquez, Asensio, and Isco are now the first names on the team sheets at the Bernabeu, with 'Gareth Bale' scribbled in the small print at the bottom. 

Madrid have a number of pivotal, season-defining games looming large. With the quarter-finals against Juventus and the derby against Atlético in La Liga, the stage is set for Bale to prove he's still the player we fell in love with. It's now up to 'Zizou' to let his star shine.